With Joyful Songs

Dear Lord; Happy Thursday Father!  I know I tend to talk about my boys quite a bit, but following up on yesterday’s conversation I just wanted to tell you about the ride in to school this morning.

Following a posting from another blogger about listening to Christian Music (Thanks so much Jenifer!) early in the week, I did a little digging online and found that while there were no nearby stations that carry that genre, there was a local repeater transmitter that rebroadcast an appropriate station.  It’s a weak signal to be sure, but it covers the area between my home and my office reasonably well, so I started listening to it on my way home last night.  It was still on in the car this morning on the way to drop the kids at school, and the difference was quickly picked up on by my youngest, Aidan.  I explained to him that this was a station that played songs which praised God, and he seemed pleased with that.  We then spent some time discussing what they had read in their Action Bibles the night before, but other than that it was an unusually quiet ride.  I pulled into the school and stopped to drop them off, and on his way out the door Aidan piped up “I like the music!” and ran inside to his class.

It’s funny sometimes what makes me smile Lord.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”  – Psalm 100:1-2

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Looking Forward…

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!  Yesterday, our conversation focused on the events of the year we’re about to leave behind, and what I’ve learned from it.  Therefore, today I thought we’d talk about moving forward, and some of the things I’d like to focus on for the upcoming year.

In holding with the last few Holiday posts I’ve made, I’d like to let my boys send their thoughts to You as well.  To that end, I asked them this morning what they were hoping 2011 would bring and what they were going to focus on to help make a positive change in their lives.

Here’s what they said :

Jonathan ( Age 11 ) – “I’d like to be able to spend more time with my family.  I want to learn how to do karate.  I want to spend more time with our friends and relatives, and have them over more often.  I’m going to be more involved in taking care of our animals.  I want to finish the new Bible I got for Christmas and learn more about God.  I’m going to work to be more thankful for the things that I have.”

Aidan ( Age 8 ) – “I’d like to see less crashes happen (car crashes) because I don’t want people to get hurt.  I want me and my friends to have a fun time in school.  I’d like my family to spend more time together.  I want less animals to get abandoned.  I’m going to finish reading my new Action Bible with Daddy and really want to learn about God.  I’m going to work to get better at reading so I can read bigger books.  I want to spend more time exercising.  And I want to wish God a Happy New Year.”

They’re still one of my biggest inspirations Lord, and I see so much of You in them each day.

As for myself, well I’m not big on New Years Resolutions but there are some things I’m planning on focusing on this coming year.

• As I mentioned yesterday, it’s been a rough year for my business.  I’m very much dedicated to it’s success, and I’m going to work diligently to get it back to the stability it once had.
• Although we are Blessed to have a very stable and wonderful home life, there’s always room for me to improve my contribution.  I’m going to continue to work to be a better husband and father, and set as positive an example for my boys as I can.
• 2010 was an amazing year for my personal growth in You Lord, and I want very much to expand on that in the coming year as well.  The closer I work to walk in Christ’s footsteps, the more I find the rest of my life gains meaning and direction.  I’m also dedicated to bringing Your Light into my children’s lives, and teaching them the Love and Guidance You provide us every day.

Heavenly Father, I humbly pray that over the coming year Your Amazing Gift of Grace is felt by all Your Children.  May we all experience the Joy in Serving Your Will, and walk the Path that Jesus has set for us in Your Holy Name.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Looking Back…

Dear Lord; Well Father, it’s almost the end of another year.  It’s certainly been a roller coaster, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time the last few days reflecting on everything that’s transpired.

Financially, 2010 has been a nightmare for myself and my business.  Coming off a very positive 2009, the first half of this year saw one drain after another as the crippled economy took it’s toll on our clients.  We adjusted as best we could, and gained some ground back mid-year, but even today we’re still dealing with digging our way out of the hole that was created.  And like any other business owner, that shortfall has carried through to my personal finances, putting a significant strain on our household income.  The one positive financial change that happened this year was the additional income produced by the wonderful new job Shannon got in September.  It hasn’t completely balanced out the deficit, but it’s been an amazing Blessing to our household during these rough times.

Family health was all over the board this year as well.  On the positive side, Jonathan’s disease has stayed in remission and he’s done very well this year.  Thank You for that amazing Blessing!  Shannon had a couple of injuries during the year, including seriously straining her back in the spring and later in the year bruising her tailbone.  I managed to get Lyme Disease in the late spring, which caused me some significant issues, but other than some continuing joint discomfort that too seems to be staying at bay.  Other than that, we’ve all had bouts of the typical Delaware sinus crud but have remained for the most part, healthy.

This year was not without it’s heartache as well Father.  Following a painful battle with cancer, my best friend of 26 years left us to join You in August.  He was a wonderful man, the best man at my wedding, and Jonathan’s Godfather and we all miss him very much.  I take great solace however in the fact that he’s no longer in pain, and is now dwelling in Your Kingdom.

On the positive side though Father, we’ve had a number of wonderful things happen this year as well.  As I mentioned earlier, Shannon got a new job this year that has been an amazing fit for her as well as providing us with some additional income.  It’s wonderful to see her come home feeling appreciated, and fulfilled with what she’s doing, and I’m very proud of her.  We had another fantastic family vacation this summer in the Pocono Mountains.  We’ve come to really love Chestnut Grove, and the kids are already looking forward to going back there again this coming year.  Over the summer Shannon and I also celebrated our 15^th Wedding Anniversary with a surprise (to her anyways) Renewal of Vows Ceremony led by the Pastor that married us.  It was a wonderful affair with family and friends in attendance, and a time of great joy for us both.  And finally, a few weeks back Lord I was truly Blessed to be able to act as Your Emissary to bring two good friends together in the bonds of Holy Matrimony.  That was an amazing honor, and Your Presence was obvious to all that attended.

On the Blessings side Lord, I have actually quite a few to Praise You for.  My marriage to Shannon has never been stronger.  She’s an amazing lady Father, and my love for her continues to grow deeper with each passing year.  My children are growing, and learning, and happy, and healthy and dreaming Father.  They’re my light and my inspiration, and I thank You so much for making them a part of my life.  We’re surrounded by wonderful friends, and we feel their love and caring on a regular basis.  And possibly most importantly Father, this year has been an amazing time for my personal growth in You.  I feel Your Presence in my life more and more every day, and give Thanks and Praise for Your Grace in my journey to You.  And although this has been a tumultuous time for many of us, I’m quite secure in my Faith that in You, all things are possible.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Dear Lord; Merry Christmas Eve Father!  This morning, following the “tradition” I started on Thanksgiving this year, I’m going to let two of my biggest Blessings (my sons Jonathan and Aidan) compose the email to you.  I battled with what questions to give them to work from this morning, but couldn’t decide between two; “What does Christmas mean to you?” and “What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?”.  Therefore, I thought we’d do both!  🙂

Jonathan (Age 11)

What does Christmas mean to you? :

“Christmas means to me that it’s time for Joy, Peace and Happiness.  It’s also the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus.”

What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?:

“God has blessed me with many things; my family, my friends, shelter and food.  I have fun, and things to do.  God has helped me stay healthy after I was really sick.  Thank you God!”

Aidan (Age 8)

What does Christmas mean to you?:

“Christmas means celebrating Jesus’ Birthday.  You get to be with your family.  You get time off school.  You get to spend time with your friends.  You get decorate the house.”

What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?:

“I want to thank God for money, health, food, shelter, my family, my brother, something to do, our pets, and for my life.”

Father, on this Eve of Celebration of Your Son’s Divine Birth I want to thank You myself as well.  You gave Your Only Son to us to inspire us, teach us, set a Holy Path for us to follow, and then to die for our Eternal Salvation.  I can’t imagine a more amazing Gift, and I’m truly humbled by Your Love for us.  Please reach out Father, to those struggling to find the Peace Christ brought to us all and let them feel Your Loving Arms around them.

May we all take time during the next couple of days to stop, let our earthly stresses go, and focus on the Wondrous Gift Our Lord has given to us.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Amen.  ~Phather Phil

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot…

Dear Lord; First off Father, I want to follow up on our conversation yesterday.  Last evening, I went to the local mall to pick up a couple of odds-and-ends.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a significantly better perspective from the shoppers and vendors.  I got smiles, Lord… Lots of them.  And when I wished people there a Merry and Blessed Christmas, I got happy faces and well-wishes in return.  Thank You for allowing me to witness those signs of Your Joy.  It helped my spirits immensely.

Today Lord, my heart is already yearning towards the next couple of days.  Work still holds many stresses for me, money is still extremely short and Shannon and I are still recovering from the bug that hit us last weekend, but the Light of the Blessed Event to come is overwhelming all of that.  I’m very much looking forward to spending quite a bit of “quality time” with You over the next couple of days, and helping spread the Love and Hope the Birth of Your Son brought to us all.  Please help me be an effective emissary of Your Word, and to bring Christ’s Message to as many others as possible.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Amen.  ~Phather Phil